Margaret Stoner

Long time McCloud resident Margaret Stoner passed away on March 22, 2022. She died in her sleep at her assisted living facility in Reno, shortly before her 102nd birthday. Margaret and her twin sister Augusta were born in 1920 on a small farm outside Geary Oklahoma. Her parents were both German immigrants, and German was spoken in her home until well after she started school. Margaret and her twin were the eldest of nine children. When she graduated from Geary High School, she attended business college a short time and then lived in El Reno Oklahoma until her 1943 wedding to Otis Stoner, also from Geary. She followed Otis, who during WWII was in the army, to Seattle and then to Texas, before he was shipped offshore. In 1946 she and Otis set up housekeeping in McCloud, where she lived until 2018. As a young mother Margaret worked at home, adding to the family finances by babysitting, housekeeping, making pies, and doing ironing for others. She later worked as a bookkeeper in the McCloud River Lumber Company office and in 1976 became the McCloud Elementary School secretary until she retired at the age of 69. Margaret was always very socially active. In the early days she helped at school and participated in the PTA, Cub Scouts, Rebekah Lodge, Junior and Senior Women’s Clubs. Her later years were occupied by the Garden Club and always the McCloud Presbyterian Church. Margaret was a very active member of these organizations, often serving as a secretary or treasurer, and was a reliable contributor to food sales and worker at their community activities. She was proud that her pies, jams, potato salad, and especially cinnamon rolls were often sold out before the fundraising event actually started. After she retired, Margaret’s passion became her garden, where she would spend many hours most summer days. She raised vegetables and flowers of all kinds. She often shared her beautiful flowers by bringing bouquets to the Sunday church service. When asked about her secret to longevity, she would say “hard work”. She lived by that credo. She is survived by her son Robert and daughter Neva Clasen; her three grandchildren: Michael, twins Monica and Paula, five great grandchildren; and her youngest sister, Mary Burkhead. A memorial service will be held at the McCloud Community Presbyterian Church on April 30 at 2:00 PM. Although Margaret loved flowers, rather than remembering her by sending them to her service, we suggest a donation in her name to the McCloud Community Presbyterian Church.